A huge cheer went up from the gathered students when the Dread Pirate Claude flung open the doors of the classroom dramatically, and First mate Dimitri carried Flayn through. The girl had her arms locked around Dimitri's neck quite tightly, and when the congratulations erupted, she physically jumped and nearly cut off his airflow altogether.
'Oh!' Flayn exclaimed breathlessly, staring around herself with confounded amazement. 'Is this all for me? Oh..!' She bounced excitedly in Dimitri's arms, adding pressure to her already intense squeeze, then planted an enormous kiss on the poor boy's cheek. Whether his brilliant red blush was due to partial suffocation or complete embarrassment was impossible to tell.
'Here General...' Claude had pushed into the room and opened up a path to a large chair that had been decorated into a nautical throne. 'Take a seat, and we can all regale you with gifts!'
Lorenz was frantically trying to get his impromptu orchestra together in the corner of the room while Flayn was settling herself, and Dimitri collapsed at a table trying to get his breath back. Ingrid and Ferdinand readied their instruments, and Lorenz picked up his own to lead then in a rough but jaunty maritime melody.
Once seated, Flayn's eyes flashed over to her brother curiously. He was stood with Byleth, whose hand he was holding tightly onto, with Jeralt lounged at his shoulder.
'You knew!' she mouthed at him when she managed to catch his eye. He smirked back at her triumphantly and then whispered something to Byleth, who chuckled. Flayn felt a happy warmth flood through her veins. It had been a very long time since she had seen Seteth looking quite so contented, although it did lead her to wonder how much he had already had to drink.
'Open mine first!' Claude was back to being dramatic as he jostled the crowds aside so that he could get to the front to present his gift.
'Thank you!' Flayn beamed, accepting the brightly coloured package graciously, although a flush was starting on her cheeks. She was overwhelmed by the crowd of students surrounding her, some of whom she wasn't entirely sure that she had ever spoken to directly. The fact that they had gone to the trouble of doing all of this for her was some sort of miracle.
'Alright flower?' Myles hovered protectively behind her, his gentle query whispered in her ear. She realised she had been sat holding Claude's gift for a little while as she tried to get her thoughts straight.
'Quite wonderful!' She murmured back while fumbling with the wrappings on the paper.
'I'll be right here.' He assured her. 'Let me know if things get too much.'
The gift-giving took a very long time and, along with the decor, had a decidedly fishy theme. When Bernadetta shyly presented her with an exquisite handmade fish plushie, Flayn had squealed so loudly in delight that it had started off Bernadetta, and everyone had to cover their ears against the sheer volume of it. Both girls had stopped simultaneously and eyed each other.
'You have a quite remarkable tone, Bernie!' Flayn commended.
'I've never met anyone who has even come close to my pitch!' Bernadetta acknowledged.
'This is truly extraordinary.' Flayn continued hugging the toy. 'Would you show me how you made it?'
'If you will share with me who tailor's your dresses. Their work is extremely fine!'
'I make them myself!' Flayn blushed.
The squealing started again.
.
'Professor...' Dedue approached Byleth as the crowd presenting gifts to Flayn grew smaller. 'I believe the food is ready to be picked up.'
'Wonderful, right on time!' Byleth motioned to Manuela, who had joined them a bit earlier along with Hanneman. 'Manuela, would you please take over ensuring that Seteth doesn't embarrass Flayn for me while I organise the food?' She slipped her hand from Seteth's and placed it into Manuela's eager mitt instead.
'Well, of course I will, darling!' Manuela purred, squeezing his hand delightedly. 'I was beginning to worry that you were going to hog the prize-catch to yourself all evening!'
'I'm sure it will be fine!' Seteth exclaimed desperately as Jeralt guffawed.
'Come now, Seteth,' Manuela pouted. 'Is holding onto me really that bad?'
'Of course not Manuela.' He placated. 'I simply mean that I think I can manage not to make a scene.'
'Better not risk it.' She murmured with a predatory smile.
.
As Byleth left for the kitchen with Dedue, Ashe, and Mercedes, Hubert ghosted away from Edelgard's side for a few moments to catch Sylvain.
'Did you manage to add our creative ingredient to the punch?' Hubert asked with a smirk.
'Ah, man...' Syvain ran a hand through his hair and looked a little nervous. 'Turns out someone slipped a note under Dimitri's door and warned him that I might try something.' he shook his head. 'I have no idea who did it, but you might have noticed that Dimi is awfully fond of the General, and he told me in no uncertain terms that if I did anything that might put a dampener on her day, he would rip me to pieces.'
'A shame...' Hubert consoled.
'I guess.' Sylvain agreed. 'I'll get the stuff back to you if you like.'
'Not at all Sylvain, I'm sure you will find some use for it.' Hubert smiled almost convincingly.
'I can do that!' Sylvain smiled back. 'Dimitri was probably right.' He added with a sigh. 'Flayn is kinda sweet, and Seteth is so laid back this evening that he's been turning a blind eye to the older students grabbing a beer anyway.'
'Hmm. He does seem uncommonly relaxed.' Hubert muttered.
'Probably has something to do with having the prettiest girl in the room hanging onto him.' Sylvain noted wisely. 'How the heck did he manage to bag the Professor anyway? Wouldn't have taken her for the sort to go for older men.'
'You are asking the wrong person Sylvain.' Hubert muttered darkly. 'The heart of a woman is as much a mystery to me as the surface of the moon.'
'My friend, it is not just you that feels that way...' Sylvain said mournfully, risking his arm by putting it around Hubert's shoulders in solidarity.
Once he had managed to extract himself from Sylvain's embrace, Hubert sidled back to Edelgard.
'A small inconvenience, your Highness.' He murmured close to her ear. 'It seems that Sylvain was unable to fulfill his task. Dimitri was obviously too wise to his normal shenanigans and put a stop to it.'
Edelgard huffed. 'Never trust a job to an imbecile...' she muttered. 'I suppose it was just a small diversion anyway and everybody's natural enthusiasm is making them behave like infants without any liquid encouragement. It's not like you even thought it was a good idea in the first place.' She added.
'Quite.' Hubert agreed.
'I am more aggrieved that Rhea has not shown her face as promised.' Edelgard admitted. 'That will be a real lost opportunity if she goes back on her plan.'
'The night is young yet.' Hubert pointed out stoically.
'Let's hope for some luck then.' Edelgard sighed. 'And some better entertainment...' She added, frowning at the band.
.
When Dedue returned and advised that dinner was ready to be served in the Golden Deer Classroom, Claude once again took it upon himself to get things organised.
'General Flayn.' He bowed to her deeply while she giggled into her hand. 'You must choose who from this fine company of your admirers that you wish to escort you to dine.' He swept his arm with an exaggerated flourish over the crowd.
Flayn stood up with a thoughtful look on her face.
'Well...' She pondered. 'It is an extremely hard decision to make given the kindness that all of you have shown to me, but I must go with my heart...' She held out her hand. 'Brother? Will you do me the honor?' She asked Seteth.
'Me?' Seteth looked confused. 'Don't you normally complain about having to take your meals with me?'
'Normally... yes!' Flayn smiled, her hand still extended.
'Go on you great oaf!' Jeralt said with a grin, propelling Seteth forward with a huge shove to his back. Seteth stumbled slightly but righted himself and made his way forward with regal gravitas. He bowed at his sister then took her hand.
They had just taken their seats and been served food when Rhea finally came rushing in, looking a little harassed.
'I am so sorry I'm late... I had something I needed to deal with that came in unexpectedly...' She took a seat with Flayn and Seteth, and the lull in conversation that had heralded her arrival broke back into normality.
When the queue for food died down, Mercedes slid up beside Byleth, who had been in charge of the fish stew.
'Do you think you could take this outside for Jeritza?' Mercedes asked her quietly. 'He won't come in, but he simply loves icecream.' She explained handing over a bowl that was at least six times the normal serving.
'You think he can eat all this?' Byleth asked, removing the cook's apron that was protecting her clothes.'
Mercedes chuckled. 'Don't underestimate my brother when it comes to sweets!' she advised sagely.
Byleth found Jeritza on a bench outside the classroom.
'Hey!' She greeted when he appeared lost in his own thoughts.
'Byleth.' He acknowledged gravely, his attention immediately on the bowl in her hand. 'Is that ice cream?' He asked.
'This here?' Byleth looked at the bowl as if surprised she was carrying it. 'Why yes, I believe it is.'
'I see.'
'It's for you.' Byleth smiled, handing him the bowl and the spoon. 'Mercedes asked me to bring it to you.'
'Oh!' He looked at her askance when she sat down next to him. 'Are you... planning to sit here?' He asked quietly.
'I'm due a break...' She admitted, 'I have been quite rushed off my feet.'
'Ah.'
'Do you not want me to sit with you?' Byleth sounded a little hurt.
Jeritza paused before he replied. 'This is ice cream.' He said. 'You are a distraction.'
'Okay, then.' Byleth moved to stand up. 'You take your sweets seriously, huh.' She noted.
'When there are very few things in life that give you pleasure, it is important to take those that do very seriously.' He agreed.
'Alright then. Enjoy.' Byleth said sadly.
'Stay if you must.' Jeritza sighed. 'Only please be quiet, and try not to be... you.'
Byleth managed to stay silent right until he was over halfway through his mammoth mountain.
'Is it good?' She couldn't help herself but ask, although she kept her eyes solidly front-facing. She heard his small sigh, and then the spoon appeared before her face with a minuscule amount of ice cream on it.
'Go on...' He said, impatiently. She thought about protesting but decided it just wasn't worth it. 'Now shush!' He commanded when she'd cleared the spoon.
Finally, she heard him scrape the bowl and then put it down beside him. His sigh, this time, was louder and happier.
'It was good, wasn't it!' She said as she turned to face him.
'Extremely adequate.' He agreed. 'I have brought a gift for Flayn for her birthday.' He added. 'I would like you to give it to her, please.'
'Looks like you will get your own chance.' Byleth noted as Flayn herself came running out of the classroom, closely followed by Myles.
'Byleth!' Flayn threw herself on Byleths lap, wrapping her arms around her tightly and kissing her enthusiastically on the cheek.'
'Hey, sis.' Myles grinned.
'Seteth was telling me over dinner about all you'd done to get this arranged!' Flayn was babbling into Byleth's chest. 'It is the nicest and kindest thing that anyone has ever done for me!'
'Well, it wasn't just me!' Byleth pointed out. Everyone really kicked in hard to make it as special as possible. You might not be a student, but all of them are really happy to have you around!'
'Oh, stop you are going to make me cry...' Flayn demanded, looking up at Byleth, her eyes shining.
'Seteth has been amazing too.' Byleth added. 'If he hadn't of allowed it in the first place...'
'Like he can say no to you!' Myles chuckled.
'Oh! I'm sorry... how rude of me!' Flayn had only just seemed to notice Jeritza sat on the bench too. 'Hello Jeritza. It is nice of you to come to my party.' She smiled winsomely at him.
'You have provided very good ice cream.' Jeritza replied seriously.
'Jeritza was just telling me that he has a gift for you.' Byleth said as Flayn got up from a lap.
'Really?' Flayn beamed. 'There wasn't any need Jeritza...'
'Ah.' He looked a bit out of depth. 'Myles mentioned that you were not a weapon sort of girl...' Jeritza was looking at the floor as he spoke. 'But I happened to pick up a curiosity for my collection that... well...'
'Go on!' Byleth encouraged gently.
'There is a village to the north whose river houses a fish that is valued for its unique taste and texture, and the women of the village harvest it especially for the coin. The thing is that this fish has millions of tiny teeth and will bite at any flesh it comes into contact with.'
'Oh!' Flayn exclaimed. 'That sounds dangerous.'
'Yes.' Jeritza agreed. 'When they begin out as fishers, they are gifted their first fishblade. It protects them when they have landed the monster as they use it to stab it, but the knife is also shaped so that it is a useful tool for gutting and scaling the fish as well. As the woman becomes more skilled and lands more fish, she will get a better and more elaborate knife made in recognition of the wealth it has earned her and her talent. This one, I believe, was owned by a master.'
He handed over a small sheath. The knife was small but elaborately carved with a fish head handle and tiny specks of colored gems representing the millions of teeth.
'Oh... it's lovely!' Flayn breathed.
'Indeed.' Jeritza agreed.
'Thank you!' She flung herself at Jeritza and hugged him hard.
'Um... okay.' Jeritza pulled a face and tentatively scritched the top of her head.
'I must go and show Seteth and Jeralt!' She exclaimed excitedly, backing off and grabbing for Myles's hand. 'Thank you..!' She added again as she pulled Myles with her back towards the classroom.
'She is rather cuddly.' Jeritza noted as they retreated. 'I wonder if that is why she has so many friends.'
'That's a part of it, maybe.' Byleth was smiling. 'I guess you are still adamant that you don't want any friends...' she said lightly.
'Of course.' Jeritza nodded. 'People are troublesome.'
'And a distraction.' Byleth muttered.
'You are a distraction. Most people are instantly dismissable.'
'Well, I'd better get back too.' Byleth decided.
'If I were to have a friend...' Jeritza said slowly and carefully. 'I think she would realise that I would very much like another bowl of ice cream and would bring one out to me...'
'I don't know...' Byleth sat forward, gripping the edge of the bench with both hands as she considered. 'If she were a real friend, she might point out that if you had another bowl of ice cream that size, you would probably make yourself sick...'
Jeritza chuckled. 'I expect that she would be such a good friend that she would know there is no amount of ice cream available that could possibly make me sick...'
Byleth jumped when she felt his hand cover hers on the bench, and his thumb gently caressed her knuckles. She looked down at her hand, unbelievingly. When she looked up again, there was an empty bowl waving in her face.
'This seems awfully close to bribery to me!' She grumbled, completely flustered as she stood to go and get his seconds.
'What's a bit of bribery between friends?' He asked softly as she disappeared.
